Independent comparisonEvery 15 min
Holiday Currency Exchange

Country guide

Travel money in Turkey

Turkish lira, euros in resorts and how UK travellers can avoid confusing dual pricing.

At a glance

Turkey for UK travellers

Destination basics to help you plan cash, cards and when to compare rates before you fly.

  • Capital

    Ankara

  • Currency

    Turkish lira (TRY)

  • Time from UK

    2 hours ahead of the UK in summer

  • Flight from London

    ~3h 45m to Istanbul

  • Distance from UK

    ~1,550 miles from London

Map of Turkey · Map data

Turkey’s currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). In some coastal resorts, euros or sterling are quoted for tours and hotels — always compare what you actually receive rather than assuming “paying in pounds” is simpler.

Cards and cash

Major cities are card-friendly; markets, dolmuş minibuses and small eateries may prefer lira cash. Carry a mix and avoid changing large amounts at the airport unless necessary.

Volatile rates

Lira moves quickly versus sterling. Locking some travel money before you go can help budgeting; for the rest, a competitive card with fair overseas fees is often practical.

UK preparation

Use our comparison tool for any pre-purchased currency. Check your bank’s overseas charges before you rely on ATMs in Antalya, Dalaman or Bodrum.

More

Browse UK airport guides to reduce weak last-minute bureau use on departure day. Compare Turkish lira rates and read Antalya summer lira guide 2026 before you fly.